Wicklow-based duo God Is An Astronaut with special guest Jo Quail play The Academy, Dublin on 3 April. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Formed in 2002 by twins Niels and Torsten Kinsella, God Is An Astronaut play electronic music, krautrock, and space rock reminiscent of Tangerine Dream and they have released twelve studio, including The End of the Beginning, Age of the Fifth Sun, Epitaph, and 2024's Embers.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
My name is Torsten Kinsella, I play guitar and write music for the band God Is An Astronaut, and I’ve spent most of my life making instrumental music that tries to say something without words.
How would you describe your music?
God Is An Astronaut’s music is instrumental and cinematic. It sits somewhere between ambient, rock and electronic music, built around atmosphere and dynamics. The aim is to create something immersive where listeners can interpret the music in their own way.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Massive Attack, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and The Cure were all important to me. Irish bands like Whipping Boy and Rollerskate Skinny were also very influential.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Metallica in the Top Hat in Dún Laoghaire around 1989.
What was the first record you ever bought?
. . . And Justice For All by Metallica - on cassette.
What’s your favourite song right now?
I’m not listening to a lot of music at the moment, but a track I keep going back to is Jumper Hanging Out on the Line by R.L. Burnside.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"What have I become, my sweetest friend? Everyone I know goes away in the end" - Hurt by Nine Inch Nails.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Prayers for Rain by The Cure.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Alan Corr
